Swarm-to-Table

Remember when these kids used to eat only plain macaroni and chicken fingers? Now the UW Undergraduate Entomology Society, Slow Food UW and MIGHTi (Mission to Improve Global Health Through Innovation) are hosting an insect-based tasting menu. While the goal is to teach attendees about insect agriculture, we admit our curiosity is piqued by the day's other activities, especially prizes for “best arthropod-inspired attire” and the arthropod-inspired open mic, giving rise to the question, What do you hear when the audience doesn't like your act at the arthropod-inspired open mic? A: Crickets!

media release: The University of Wisconsin Undergraduate Entomology Society (UES), in collaboration with Slow Food UW and the Mission to Improve Global Health Through Innovation (MIGHTi), invite you to Swarm-to-Table 2023!

This event features:

Expo space featuring insect agriculture industry members​, interactive activities, UW departments and organizations, and much more!

Gourmet insect tasting menu by chef Andrew Jack 

Art gallery showcasing insect positive artwork by creators in our community 

Arthropod inspired open mic

Prizes for best arthropod-inspired attire 

Take a load off your feet and enjoy a variety of micro-presentations given by experts in the field. 

2:45 pm: Dr. Valerie Stull 

3:15 pm: Dr. Barrett Klein 

4:00 pm: Industry Panel Discussion/Q+A

4:30 pm: Insect Themed Open Mic (registration coming soon)

Why eat bugs?

Well, for starters, they can be delicious. Worldwide, thousands of species of insects contribute to human diets, and many are prized as delicacies. For creative cooks, the vast biodiversity of insects offers a palette of unique flavors, unmatched in breadth throughout the animal kingdom. 

As the global population increases and climate change intensifies, it is essential that we develop creative, sustainable, and resilient strategies for agriculture and food security. Compared to conventional livestock, insect agriculture typically requires less land, feed, and freshwater inputs to produce a comparable amount of nutritious food. Some insects are adept recyclers, capable of turning inedible waste into something nutritious and digestible. Growing insects for human consumption and animal feed promises to be a part of developing equitable and sustainable food systems in the future.

Swarm-to-Table invites the curious public to explore insect agriculture and cuisine. Join us in celebrating the role of insects in human health, sustainable agriculture, and existing food and artistic culture.